Riding in winter winds

[DebTX]

Hi everyone -
It doesn't get that cold here in Texas, so I don't have the winter riding impediment that many of you do. But it's very windy and that's what has kept me off the bike. Today, for example, the winds were at least 20-30 mph. Same is expected for tomorrow. Of course I saw plenty of riders out on the roads and it made me wonder if I'm being a weenie.

The one time I rode despite the wind it "felt like" it was going to push me over! I don't know if it actually would've or not. But how do you all manage to ride in strong winds? Do I just need to buck up?

Thanks!
Deb

[sundial]

Deb, we're having more wind than usual for December. I think we were suppose to have this kind of wind in October and it was delayed a couple of months. Pick your days to be on the road when it's nice and if it's really windy, head for the woods for a good hike or a mtb ride.

[redrhodie]

and if it's really windy, head for the woods for a good hike or a mtb ride.

Not if it's REALLY windy! You gotta watch out for falling branches! If it's too windy to ride, it's too windy to walk.

I ride in a really windy area, 20-30mph winds are pretty common. I've been pushed sideways, but never blown over. I don't ride if branches are falling. My friend had a plastic planter blow under her wheels. She was lucky not to fall. Stuff like that is probably more dangerous than actually being blown over.

Psychologically, I get through it knowing there will be a tailwind at some point. That's the big reward. It does get easier, but like climbing, it's never easy.

[Zen]

I've been blown over before and now I have a wind phobia

[uforgot]

We're having the winds in Missouri now too. Branches everywhere. I didn't ride today either. I think I'd rather ride in the rain than the wind.

[OakLeaf]

Depends on the traffic. It can get pretty bad on high bridges (FL) or fast descents (OH). If the wind is gusty enough and the road is narrow and busy enough that it could blow me into traffic, I am NOT happy.

I was actually with a group of pretty strong riders last year (mostly much stronger than I am), who turned around because of the wind after crossing the bridge. (I didn't actually quite get that... since once we were over the bridge we had to cross it once, and only once, again... ) But then again, more than half of them were triathletes on tri bikes, so they were probably having worse trouble in the crosswinds than the roadies.

I don't know which is worse - being buffeted all over the place on a bici, or having yourself and your nearly 400# moto picked up by the wind and shoved over three or four inches -